This guide has been written with input from Paine Manwaring’s heating specialists, combining NHS, CIBSE and HSE guidance with over 50 years of local installation experience.
Maintaining an ideal room temperature keeps homes and workplaces healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient. For general, everyday comfort, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the UK’s building services authority, recommends maintaining room temperature at around 21°C. However, for workplaces specifically, the HSE sets a legal minimum of 16°C, or 13°C where work requires rigorous physical effort.
This guide explains what those figures mean in practice, the ideal temperatures for room type and occupancy levels, as well as how to keep conditions steady through the seasons.
If your heating system struggles to hold a stable temperature, it could be time for an upgrade. Book a heating system consultation with Paine Manwaring today.
What Is the Ideal Room Temperature?
The ideal room temperature balances comfort, health and energy efficiency. While guidance varies, professional heating design consistently uses one benchmark.
“For new heating system designs, we consistently aim for around 21 degrees. That balance delivers comfort and efficiency while aligning with industry design standards,” explains Adam Doick, Director, Paine Manwaring
Paine Manwaring applies this approach across domestic homes, rental properties and complex commercial buildings through our domestic heating and boiler services and commercial heating and plumbing services.
How the NHS Defines Ideal Temperature
The NHS recommended room temperature in winter is at least 18°C in rooms that are used regularly. This figure represents a minimum safe temperature, not a comfort target.
It’s important to understand:
- 18°C is the minimum temperature recommended and not the ideal room temperature
- Most people feel comfortable closer to 20–21°C
Average UK Home Temperatures
In real-world use, the average room temperature in the UK for occupied spaces is 20–21°C. This is widely accepted as the normal room temperature UK homes aim for, reflecting how modern properties are heated and used.
Comfortable Temperature Range for Adults
A comfortable room temperature depends on activity level, clothing and insulation. For most adults:
- 20–21°C is comfortable for living spaces
- 18°C is comfortable for sleeping
When people ask what is a comfortable room temperature, the answer usually sits within this range.
Ideal Temperature for Different Rooms and People
Living Room and Lounge Areas
The ideal room temperature for living rooms is around 21°C. This provides a comfortable room temperature for relaxing and working from home while allowing heating systems to run efficiently.
If your living spaces struggle to reach this temperature, a system assessment through our heating and boiler services may be required.
Bedroom and Sleeping Comfort
The ideal room temperature for sleeping is 16–18°C. Cooler temperatures help regulate body temperature and support better sleep quality.
Baby’s Room and Nursery Guidance
The ideal room temperature for a baby is 16–20°C. Babies are more vulnerable to overheating, which is why accurate monitoring of room temperature for babies is strongly recommended.
Recommended Temperature for Elderly or Vulnerable People
The recommended room temperature for elderly people in the UK is a minimum of 18°C. Maintaining this temperature consistently is important for health and wellbeing, particularly during winter.
Seasonal and Practical Considerations
Ideal Temperature in Winter
During colder months, the ideal room temperature for comfort remains 20–21°C, while the NHS recommended room temperature in winter stays at 18°C or above for health protection.
If heating regularly fails in winter, urgent assistance may be required via our 24/7 emergency plumbing and heating service.
Comfortable Temperature in Summer
In warmer months, a comfortable room temperature typically falls between 20°C and 23°C. Ventilation, shading and modern controls help maintain comfort without unnecessary heating.
How Humidity Affects Comfort
Humidity significantly affects how the ideal room temperature feels. Even a good room temperature can feel uncomfortable if humidity is too high or too low. Most buildings feel best at 40–60% relative humidity.
Energy-Saving Heating Tips
Maintaining the ideal room temperature is about steady operation at the lowest comfortable setting, not constant manual adjustment.
“We always advise our customers to run their heating at the lowest comfortable setting. Weather-compensated controls help with that by adjusting to outdoor conditions, so your boiler only works as hard as it needs to. This differs from traditional on/off thermostats which only react to internal temperature drops, leading to less efficient heating cycles and temperature fluctuations,” says Adam Doick.
Upgrading controls or reviewing system design through our heating services or commercial facilities management can significantly improve comfort and efficiency.
When Temperature Problems Indicate a System Upgrade
If a property cannot consistently maintain the ideal room temperature, this often indicates:
- An ageing or undersized boiler
- Outdated controls
- Changes to occupancy or building layout
- Inefficient system design
In these cases, repeated repairs may not solve the underlying issue. A system review via boiler servicing and diagnostics or commercial heating assessments is often the most effective solution.
What This Means for Homeowners, Landlords and Commercial Clients
Homeowners
Difficulty maintaining a normal room temperature in a UK home, cold rooms, rising bills and winter breakdowns can all indicate a problem with the heating system. Regular servicing or upgrades help prevent this.
Landlords and Managing Agents
For landlords, maintaining the recommended room temperature supports tenant wellbeing and reduces damp and mould risk.
Support is available via our Landlord services and Domestic electrical services (EICR support).
Commercial and Multi-Site Properties
Schools, healthcare buildings, hotels and estates require stable temperature control to support comfort and operational reliability.
Support is available via our Commercial services and Facilities management services.
How Heat Pumps Help Maintain the Ideal Room Temperature
Modern low-carbon heating systems such as air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps are particularly effective at maintaining a stable ideal room temperature. Unlike traditional boilers, heat pumps are designed to deliver low, consistent heat over longer periods, which aligns closely with professional guidance around comfort and efficiency.
Air Source Heat Pumps and Temperature Control
Air source heat pumps work most efficiently when maintaining a steady indoor temperature, rather than responding to sharp temperature drops. By running continuously at lower flow temperatures, they help homes maintain a comfortable and even room temperature of 20–21°C, without the peaks and troughs often associated with older heating systems.
This makes air source heat pumps particularly well suited to well-insulated homes, new-build properties and buildings with modern heating controls. When correctly designed and installed, they support consistent comfort while reducing energy use.
Ground Source Heat Pumps and Consistent Comfort
Ground source heat pumps offer even greater temperature stability by drawing heat from the ground, where temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year. This allows them to regulate indoor conditions very precisely, making it easier to maintain the ideal room temperature in both domestic and commercial settings.
Because ground source heat pumps operate with high efficiency and minimal fluctuation, they are particularly effective in larger properties, estates, schools and commercial buildings where consistent indoor conditions are critical.
Why Heat Pumps Work Well with Modern Temperature Guidance
Both air source and ground source heat pumps perform best when homes and buildings are heated steadily to the lowest comfortable setting, rather than being turned up and down throughout the day. This approach supports the ideal room temperature guidance of around 21°C while maximising efficiency and system lifespan.
If a property struggles to maintain stable temperatures, a heat pump system, combined with appropriate insulation and modern controls, can often provide better regulation than traditional heating systems.
Low-Carbon Heating and ESG Considerations
For ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)-focused organisations, landlords and property managers, maintaining the ideal room temperature is increasingly linked to carbon reduction and sustainability goals. Heat pumps play a central role in this transition by delivering efficient, low-carbon heating while improving temperature stability.
Both air source and ground source heat pumps operate at significantly lower carbon intensity than traditional fossil-fuel boilers, particularly when paired with renewable electricity. Their ability to maintain steady indoor temperatures supports occupant wellbeing while helping organisations demonstrate progress against ESG and net zero targets.
To learn more about suitability, design and installation, visit our services pages for Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps, where we will outline best practice for domestic and commercial properties.
Temperature Control Comparison: Boilers vs Heat Pumps
| Feature | Traditional Boilers | Heat Pumps (ASHP & GSHP) |
| Temperature delivery | Higher output, short cycles | Lower output, continuous operation |
| Temperature stability | More fluctuations | Highly stable and consistent |
| Ideal operating style | Reactive on/off heating | Steady, lowest comfortable setting |
| Efficiency at 21°C | Moderate | Very high |
| Carbon impact | Higher (gas/oil) | Low-carbon, renewable-ready |
| Suitability for ESG goals | Limited | Strong alignment |
Final Expert Guidance
If you want a clear answer to the question ‘What is the ideal room temperature in the UK’:
- 21°C is the ideal room temperature for comfort and performance
- A minimum of 18°C is the NHS recommended temperature in winter
- Persistent temperature issues usually indicate a system or control problem
Heating systems should maintain comfort quietly and consistently. When they don’t, it’s often time to reassess whether the system still suits the building and its use.
For expert advice or a system review, contact Paine Manwaring.
FAQs About Room Temperature
What is the ideal room temperature in the UK?
The ideal room temperature for most homes is around 21°C, aligning with building and heat engineering best practice.
What temperature should a bedroom be?
The ideal room temperature for sleeping is 16°C to 18°C.
Is 18 °C too cold for a house?
No. 18°C is the normal room temperature minimum baseline in the UK, recommended by the NHS for safe living conditions.
What does the NHS recommend as a safe home temperature?
The NHS recommended room temperature in winter is 18°C or above in rooms used daily.
Is 22 degrees too hot for a house?
It may feel warm for some, but it remains within an acceptable comfort range if energy efficiency is maintained.
Paine Manwaring is an established, professional and highly experienced supplier of plumbing, heating and electrical services to domestic and commercial customers throughout Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
For more information about our heating, plumbing and electrical services which we provide for both homes and businesses, get in touch with a member of our expert and friendly team today on 01903 237522 or enquiries@painemanwaring.co.uk (Worthing) or 01243 784711 or info@painemanwaring.co.uk (Chichester).
